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Songs of a Savoyard

by W. S. Gilbert

45 of 87 · Contents · Download EPUB

The Contemplative Sentry

When all night long a chap remains
   On sentry-go, to chase monotony
He exercises of his brains,
   That is, assuming that he’s got any.
Though never nurtured in the lap
   Of luxury, yet I admonish you,
I am an intellectual chap,
   And think of things that would astonish you.
         I often think it’s comical
How Nature always does contrive
         That every boy and every gal,
That’s born into the world alive,
         Is either a little Liberal,
Or else a little Conservative!
Fal lal la!

When in that house M.P.’s divide,
   If they’ve a brain and cerebellum, too,
They’ve got to leave that brain outside,
   And vote just as their leaders tell ’em to.
But then the prospect of a lot
   Of statesmen, all in close proximity,
A-thinking for themselves, is what
   No man can face with equanimity.
         Then let’s rejoice with loud Fal lal
That Nature wisely does contrive
         That every boy and every gal,
That’s born into the world alive,
         Is either a little Liberal,
Or else a little Conservative!
Fal lal la!

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